Momma is slowly getting her groove back! Watch out farm J! I have plans for a kitchen "victory garden" of sorts with a pergola with wisteria and more. The Gentle Giant plants the huge garden. This year I think it is 3 acres? YIKES! The Gentle Giant just planted 1400 strawberry plants… YES, you did read that right! And 20 Honey Crisp apple trees to add to the small apple orchard. Next summer you know where to come for your strawberries! DON'T Forget. He put in irrigation to the garden as well. I am seeing lots of Spring flowers emerge here and look forward to moving them around and making some perennial gardens. But I am starting with the small kitchen garden first. That could be all I can get to this year. I don't want to miss a thing with my sweet little newborn, NOT ONE.
I have had great nursing success this time. It went awesome with the first 3 children, not so great with the next 2 and this time it is like WOWzers! Between goats milk, cow milk and breast milk, things are overflowing here! Maybe too much TMI… OH well! I attribute the success to being firm about no company right now. I look back and think I had way too much going on at first with having a new baby. I was so appreciative of the wonderful friends and meals, but it was daily and I really think this could have contributed to some stress for me. And I attribute it to a less stress life living here on the farm. Looking back, I don't know why we did not make these life changes sooner… But I believe God knew we were not ready yet. Anyways… Thanks everyone for honoring the 4 week rule for no visitorsJ. I also have been "taking care" by staying in bed almost a full week. It was been wonderful holding and nursing the babe. We did have company last evening, the first since babe's arrival. The community brought tons of food, homemade ice cream and more to celebrate baby girlies birth. It was short and sweet. We all sang songs and prayed together holding hands in a circle before their departure… all of us from 1 week old to 60+ something. We are blessed to have a wonderful supportive group here.
A lot of you have asked about baby girl's name. I have to be honest that I do not post our children's names on this blog for privacy sake. I have so appreciated your wonderfully kind comments welcoming our baby girl into the world. Thank you so much! We have read every one of them.
We are getting another new horse today. Nellie is her name. She is a safe and sound driver… We will see J I have many fears to conquer regarding horses. MANY… Please pray I can get some courage up for "Barney". I will post pictures soon. My camera battery is dead right now so it could be a short while.
We are still making some new adjustments here with living off grid. One of you asked how is it different now having a newborn baby off grid? I will answer by saying that the first night home here was interesting as I bundled up baby next to me in bed I was always used to a night light in our other bedroom. I forgot about that with baby preparations this time. I used a flashlight under my pillow the first night. That has been the only real difference I can think of at this point. We do have more laundry now. I am using cloth diapers occasionally, but not full time (yet?). I can only do so much wash in a wringer wash machine for 8 of us. I know my limits at age 38 J (ok, not every limit but I think I am getting smarter. Gray haired mother's do have some advantages). At age 22 I would have tried cloth full time… Now, not so much J But, I still am considering more cloth, time will tell.
